A typical pregnancy lasts about 40 weeks. Due to individual differences a woman may go into labor a few days or weeks before the due date and others will go a week or longer past the due date. Depending on the woman's birthing facility or overseeing health care provider, she may not be permitted to go much beyond 41 weeks of pregnancy. To avoid a medical induction, natural methods can be attempted to start labor. As with any treatments taken during pregnancy, a doctor should be consulted before natural methods are tried.
Walk
Walking is the most natural and side effect free natural labor induction technique. Women should still use caution when walking as the joints are very flexible in preparation for labor. Twisting an ankle or causing unnecessary hip pain is possible. Supportive walking shoes should be worn and the terrain should be mostly flat. Having a walking partner or at least alerting someone to the intended walking path is a necessary precaution in case the woman should fall or begin having contractions. Walking helps encourage labor by utilizing gravity and the weight of the baby to help open and thin the cervix, an important early step in labor.
Sex
DrSpock.com suggests sex as a way to help get labor started. Semen contains prostaglandins, a hormone that can stimulate contractions. A female orgasm may also stimulate uterine contractions. This method can be painful and possibly for nothing if the desired results aren't achieved. Women who have progressed enough in labor that the mucus plug has fallen out should avoid intercourse due to the increased risk of introducing bacteria into the uterus. The mucus plug is a thick mass of tissue and mucus that traps the amniotic fluid inside the uterus. When it falls out the woman may see a thick mass of mucus that is tinged pink or she may just have copious amounts of mucus passing from the vagina.
Bowel Stimulation
Several methods of bowel stimulation can be used to trigger uterine cramping. The What to Expect website suggests taht castor oil has been a long-time remedy to help women go into labor. A typical dose may be 1 to 4 oz. of castor oil mixed into a glass of orange juice. Other bowel stimulation can be achieved by eating spicy foods or performing a water or vinegar enema.
The idea is that by causing intestinal spasms the uterus will respond in the same manner. If this remedy isn't successful, a woman may suffer moderate discomfort from the cramps and diarrhea without going into labor. Persistent diarrhea can lead to dehydration.
Nipple Stimulation
Nipple stimulation causes the release of oxytocin, a hormone that causes contractions. Pitocin is a synthetic form of oxytocin that is often given intravenously during a medical induction to cause contractions. The American Pregnancy Association points out that a woman can perform self nipple stimulation with her hands or she can use an electronic breast pump. Causing contractions when the body is not ready to go into labor can cause unnecessary discomfort to the pregnant woman and potentially distress to the baby.
